Ogre's Politics & Views
February 17, 2006
Finally Friday
It's been a long week for the Ogre. And it's been a painful week -- but it's been a good week. I see the news and read about all the horrible evil that happened this week. But I also see the good that happens, like the gold medal winner who donated his "winnings" from the Olympics to helping kids in Africa. Some weeks, the evil seems to be stronger. But the saying "It's all good" can work in so many ways.
So, while
One Happy Dog puts up her
funnies each
Wednesday (don't miss 'em), I save my ultimate silliness for Fridays. I'm trying to not comment on and just plain ignore all the crap for just one day. It doesn't mean evil is winning -- sometimes evil can be defeated by simply ignoring it.
Unfortunately, that's not often. In this country, where the war between good and evil really has come down to freedom vs. socialism/communism/totalitarianism/etc, the war is very difficult. Why? Because if you live by the golden rule in America, you lose!
You see, I want to be left alone. I want to be free to enjoy the fruits of my labor, and I don't want to tell anyone else what to do. If I follow that path, those who want to suppress me and my freedom will do so, because I am NOT telling them what to do. That's what makes this fight so difficult -- because I have to do what I do not want to in order to win.
I have to pay attention to the wrongs that are committed -- I cannot mind my own business. I have to openly attempt to expose those who want to hide, rather than enjoy the fruits of my labor -- because if I don't, they simply will continue to take and suppress me and freedom.
But, as I started to say, it's Friday -- a day to relax a little bit and try to enjoy life a little more. So today, I'm going to post just silliness all day (if I can avoid all the crap), and then I'm going to take off work early and go take some pictures of some birds or something.
Posted by: Ogre at
12:37 PM
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1
*sticks tongue out at Ogre* *runs away*
Posted by: oddybobo at February 17, 2006 02:06 PM (6Gm0j)
2
I wave my private parts at your Aunties!
Posted by: Ogre at February 17, 2006 02:21 PM (/k+l4)
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Government Schools want cash
I know, that's not really news. Government schools freely admit now that they only amount of money they need is "MORE." Here, the state university system (100% pork, useless spending), has compiled their wish list for the next year's budget. The idea there IS such a thing as a wish list is appalling.
They want:
- Multimillion dollar computers
- Cash for 7,000 students
- An institute for fruit science
- A research center in Kannapolis
- A research center in Hickory
- A biomedical-engineering institute
Oh, and the officials want the money that's spent to BUILD all these building to become a PERMANENT part of the budget. In other words, they want hundreds of millions to build buildings -- and once they're done, they want that hundreds of millions to be theirs every year to spend as they want.
There's one correct and appropriate answer to every single one of these "requests" on the "wish list":
NO
But then again, that would be the responsible answer -- so don't look for the Democrats that run the state to give that answer. Instead, they'll just raise my taxes to give them the money.
Oh, how I yearn for freedom.
Posted by: Ogre at
10:01 AM
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1
We'll remember this the next time you have a heart attack and use a drug discovered and tested at UNC-CH. Or, the next time you drink water that is not filled with pesticides and hog waste.
I don't agree with keeping any building money permanently, but I also don't agree with going backwards just to save a few bucks per person. We've seen just how the private system works when given free reign thanks to the Republic Party being in control in Washington. Oil and Insurance companies rake in record profits while real wages drop, benefits decrease, and services disappear.
Utopia for a Republic? Aristocracy. It sounds like your a worker, so welcome to the peasant class my friend.
Posted by: Robert P at February 17, 2006 03:02 PM (7X7vQ)
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I hope they build that research center here soon in Kannapolis since I need a job. Sounds like a tech guy is what they need.
Posted by: Arbitratorofall at February 17, 2006 03:20 PM (5+Jvh)
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Robert, your view of people is horribly depressing and fatalistic. You assume that if government does not do something then it simply will not be done. That says that people in a capitalist society will do nothing -- they will not discover or research drugs, and they will only make pesticides that kill people. I'm sorry that you are so depressed and have such a poor view of free people.
And your "real wages" line is total crap, utterly unsupported by reality, and you know it.
Arbitrator? Stop encouraging them!
Posted by: Ogre at February 17, 2006 04:00 PM (/k+l4)
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Sorry Ogre,
But take a look at our health insurance - capitalist society has driven it into the ground to the point that 48 million Americans have no insurance. Including 50% that work, but have no health care benefits, so real wages are not crap. But, you already know that. Real wages would allow people to eat AND see the doctor.
I'm not depressed at all, thankfully the Federal Government does support research that private companies would never fund.
You forget that when capitalism had its way, millions died each year from work accidents (I just saw a recent stat that 36,000 brakemen died every year on trains at the turn of the century), people starved, children spent all week in the sweat shop. If you think it is so different today, just look around the world.
And, don't forget the wonders brought to us by cigarette companies, asbestos manufacturers, and pharm companies - all of whom knowingly killed people for the sake of profits.
Not even a right-wing nutbag can believe that corporations don't need oversight. Too many examples proving the opposite.
Posted by: Robert P at February 21, 2006 01:02 PM (V/N23)
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Wow. You may not think you are depressed, but you do have a horribly depressing, fatalistic view of everyone else but yourself. Based on your posts, you actually believe that nothing will happen without the federal government. You believe that companies will willingly kill millions of people just because they can get away with it.
And as for your claim that capitalism has made health insurance unavailable, that's verifiable wrong. The reason health care is not available for so many people is because government regulation has made it that way.
I want to buy insurance that will provide me catastrophic coverage for major accidents and hospitalization only. Government will not allow me to buy that coverage. Government will only permit me to purchase complete and total insurance covering AIDS, depression, alcoholism, mental health, acupuncture, and tons of other crap I DON'T WANT.
That's why insurance costs so much -- GOVERNMENT and only government.
Posted by: Ogre at February 21, 2006 01:45 PM (/k+l4)
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Wait, you think it was the government that was behind the law that makes you buy EVERY KIND OF insurance? You don't think the $150 million a year that certain insurance industry groups spend on lobbying was MAYBE, JUST MAYBE used to push, write, and pass these kinds of laws?
You think the insurance industry is so kind, they want to sell you a nice small policy at low-cost, but those mean men in D.C. MAKE them sell you the all-in-one at 10 times the cost? Please.
"You believe that companies will willingly kill millions of people just because they can get away with it." .....yeah, I think that is pretty much proven.
Cigarettes, Enron, Benzene, Asbestos, Arsenic, Mercury, PCBs - the list goes on and on.
No matter how brainwashed you are, you can't serious believe that today's companies would police their own pollution and remove carcinogens if the government wasn't forcing them to, right? There is one example, Tylenol I think, that people bring up over and over. But, just look at all the industry's asking Bush for cover from their bad behavior. Capitalism without regulation is a stupid idea. Capitalism with regulation is a great idea and what helped make our country the greatest in the world.
Have you ever read The Jungle, or any of the other reports about working conditions before government regulation? Or, have you traveled to any third world countries or seen the reports about slavery, forced labor, child labor, and all the other things that go on in third world countries? Or, how about the incredibly high death rate among illegal immigrant workers right here in the U.S. That is the best proof that companies do not care at all about their workers, the fact that they kill off illegal immigrants because they are "disposable".
Posted by: Robert P at February 21, 2006 02:43 PM (V/N23)
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Hold on, let me go check ...
Yup, the insurance industry didn't pass any laws -- only legislatures do that.
By stating your belief that companies kill people because they can shows that I cannot have an intelligent debate with you. Heck, you have clearly stated that you would kill me if you could get away with it.
Posted by: Ogre at February 21, 2006 02:57 PM (/k+l4)
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Loud rather than right.
Corporations have and will continue to kill people in the name of profit. Not every corporation, but enough that laws are necessary to regulate them. Look at the top 20 companies to work with from Fortune. These are companies that make money and yet still manage to pay living wages with health and retirement benefits. The other companies like cigarette manufacturers are killing people for MORE profit, not just for profit.
When, exactly, did I say I would kill you if I could get away with it? Loud, rather than right.
Posted by: Robert P at February 21, 2006 03:08 PM (V/N23)
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Oh, I see, it's not YOU that would kill me, just everyone else on the entire planet. That doesn't strike you as an odd position to hold? That doesn't seem to you to be utterly fatalistic? You have proposed that only you (and government with force, run by "the right people") are good and everyone else is bad and evil.
That's what I'm talking about when I say you have an absolutely horrible view of people... other than yourself and the "right" people running government, of course.
Open your mind some day and look around. You might find that people are nicer than you give them credit for.
Posted by: Ogre at February 21, 2006 04:00 PM (/k+l4)
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Common neocon misconception, corporations are not people. They do not have the rights of people, they are not "persons". People are nice, my neighbors are nice, my Republican Dad is nice, the people at last weekends chili cookoff were nice, lots of people are nice.
Many corporations, and again you choose to ignore nuance because...well, you're a neocon, MANY corporations care more about profits than human life.
You've never denied that Enron, cigarettes, asbestos producers, etc have put profits before people. You can't. It's clear, they have.
Posted by: Robert P at February 21, 2006 09:48 PM (7X7vQ)
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I see. So these corporations, that are not people, that are not run by people, are evil automations that kill people whenever they get the chance, just because they can. No actual people would actually do this, just the evil corporations.
You know, I formed a corporation just last year. I have yet to see it launch itself into violence and killing. I shall hide under my desk just in case it does. Someone, quick, please regulate my corporation before it kills me.
Robert, do you really not see how utterly insane that sounds? Corporations kill, but people are nice. Where did the corporations come from?
Posted by: Ogre at February 21, 2006 09:58 PM (2IrwV)
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February 16, 2006
Drunks Support Denmark
The mostly terrorist mulsim world continues to attempt to boycott Denmark because Denmark has not proclaimed islam the national religion of the country. Yes, that's why, it's not because of some cartoons, it's because the muslims have a mission to convert the entire world to islam, with violence when possible.
The civilized world is responding by trying to get everyone to buy MORE products from Denmark. Everyone knows about the little cookies, and perhaps even about the Danish hams. But I was reminded today by
Le Sabot Post-Moderne that drunks can support Denmark, too!
You see, Carlsberg Beer is made
in Denmark. And in case you can't read that page (it's not English), head to the
English site. And
this store will actually ship the beer right to your house (if your state will allow them to -- NC does, surprisingly!).
So, you drinkers, let's have a holiday and support crushing terrorism at the same time! Drink a Carlsberg!
Posted by: Ogre at
07:03 PM
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And the Muslims are different than Christians how? The Christians are just as violent as the Muslims as evidenced by our 'holy war' against Iraq.
Posted by: Raven at February 16, 2006 09:10 PM (V5Zbt)
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Good suggestion. One case of Carlsberg will be forthcoming.
That sure doesn't sound like the Raven we know now does it?
Posted by: Tomslick at February 16, 2006 09:29 PM (xNjHI)
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Not surprisingly I've had that beer before, not one of my favorites.
Posted by: Contagion at February 16, 2006 11:09 PM (e8b4J)
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I've just finished 12 Carlsbads. To show my support of Denmark.......Or, was it the Netherlands? Some country in Europe. Maybe it was Morocco. Country is a funny word. Have you ever noticed. I really have to pee! Wow, that lady is really hot! Hi honey, how ya doing? Oh, wait, that's the vacuum.
Posted by: Stevin at February 17, 2006 12:44 AM (LfL8N)
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That's not our Raven, Tomslick, that's a Bush-hater-above-all Raven. Thanks for stopping by, Raven, let me know when you'd like to meet the real world. Apparently you are a member of a group that calls itself "Christian" that is in a holy war with Iraq. I'm not aware of such a group, but would be glad to join up!
And Contagion, just drink the damn beer and stop whining!
Stevin? Oh Stevin? Up here. No, over here. Oh, never mind.
Posted by: Ogre at February 17, 2006 12:25 PM (/k+l4)
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That's not our Raven.
The Raven that posted the above comment is obviously a member of that club that finds it difficult to perform the concurrent activities of ambulation and mastication, and far be it from this commentor to point out the obvious and apparent diminishment of the collective mental acumen of the readers of this esteemed and worthwhile electronic slice of the ether of cyberspace, but comments such as the one from the Raven that posted above here certainly contribute to that occurance and certainly cause society as a whole to be brought down to the level of slavering simpletons while making it clear why so many vote with their emotions and not their logic or intelligence.
To paraphrase that for you Raven, (as I know your grasp of the language MUST be limited given your insipid comment above);
You are too stupid to walk and chew at the same time, and we are all stupider from having read what you wrote, and idiots like you bring down the collective IQ of the world and make it apparent why so many people vote democrat.
Posted by: kender at February 17, 2006 09:51 PM (/mKfY)
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Don't you hate when you read things that actually seem to suck your intelligence?
Posted by: Ogre at February 18, 2006 02:16 PM (2IrwV)
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You are rallying drunks in support of denmark.....lol and you wonder why the muslim world is boycotting all there goods. I support the boycott whole heartedly, I have even started buying american keebler butter cookies.
If they dont want to listen peacefully ( cause that didnt work before the riots and attacks) then hit em where it hurts... I mean really REALLY hurts..... their wallets.
Islam is the true way
Posted by: mezmoerize at February 23, 2006 09:03 AM (MSKdW)
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That's what's so fun about boycotts -- everyone can pick their own side and we can see who wins!
Posted by: Ogre at February 23, 2006 11:10 AM (2IrwV)
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ACLU HATES Good
I know it's beating a dead horse for me to continue to make the same argument, but the Boy Scouts have been an honorable organization since their founding.
In 1908, the Boy Scouts were founded in Great Britain by Lord Robert Baden-Powell. It didn't take long for Scouting to make its way to the United States when an American was exposed to the helpful nature of the British Scouts.
In 1909 in London, England, An American Visitor, William D. Boyce, lost his way in a dense fog. He stopped under a street lamp and tried to figure out where he was.
A boy approached him and asked if he could be of help.
"You certainly can," said Boyce. He told the boy that he wanted to find a certain business office in the center of the city.
"I'll take you there," said the boy.
When they got to the destination, Mr. Boyce reached into his pocket for a tip.
But, the boy stopped him. "No thank you, sir. I am a Scout. I won't take anything for helping."
"A Scout? And what might that be?" asked Boyce.
The boy told the American about himself and about his brother scouts. Boyce became very interested.
After finishing his errand, he had the boy take him to the British Scouting office.
At the office, Boyce met Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the famous British general who had founded the Scouting movement in Great Britain.
Boyce was so impressed with what he learned that he decided to bring Scouting home with him.
On February 8, 1910, Boyce and a group of outstanding leaders founded the Boy Scouts of America. From that day forth, Scouts have celebrated February 8 as the birthday of Scouting in the United States.
Posted by: Ogre at
05:04 PM
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Another Updated Fairy Tale
After reading my expanded and updated tale about The Little Red Hen, Oddy points out another re-telling of a classic: the Grasshopper and the Ant, by Jim Quinn.
Posted by: Ogre at
04:02 PM
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Your commments work here, but not on your ACLU post.
Posted by: Contagion at February 16, 2006 11:29 PM (e8b4J)
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I was going to say the same thing, for some reason we cannot comment on your aclu(natic) post.
Posted by: Smoke Eater at February 16, 2006 11:51 PM (K7uqT)
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Yes, I shut them off on that one because I really didn't want to listen to anyone attempt to support the "good" the ACLU does. That one just really, really pissed me off.
Posted by: Ogre at February 17, 2006 12:26 PM (/k+l4)
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Terrorist Memorial
The construction of the memorial to celebrate terrorism and the terrorist religion of pieces, islam, continues in PA. There's a public meeting to be held this Saturday in Somerset, PA. If you can make it, you might want to attend to see how we're going to celebrate and honor terrorists on the taxpayer dime. For extensive details, see Error Theory.
(H/T to
Always on Watch).
Posted by: Ogre at
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Government Solution: More Government
Is anyone surprised? The government has determined that Katrina was not actually a natural disaster, but instead the lack of more and larger government was the reason that people died. Seriously, this 520-page (or is it 600-page) report really says that.
So, let's go to the report, shall we?
Oh wait, we can't! As of the writing of this post, it seems the report hasn't been released! How is it that so many news reports can tell us what's in a report that hasn't been released? So much for that "right to know." I guess the press meant that THEY have a right to know everything and they will determine, in their infinite wisdom, what the public has a right to know.
Posted by: Ogre at
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I am back from Iraq Ogre, and it is great to see that your Blog is still in action.
Per your post, I am a Conservative through and through, and I think that President Bush will go down in History as one of our greatest Presidents; however, Chertoff has not been a stellar appointee.
Nonetheless, I think that they energy security could have been addressed in a better manner.
I was in Iraq during the aftermath of Katrina, but my family who still lives in Charlotte told me about the gas shortages there, and the price gouging at the pumps.
I hope that you will keep us abreast of the latest on this report when it is ultimately released.
Posted by: Michael R. Churchill at February 16, 2006 05:51 PM (qzEob)
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GREAT to hear that you're back! And congrats on joining the NCOs.
Posted by: Ogre at February 17, 2006 12:28 PM (/k+l4)
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Utter Smoking Insanity
In the spirit of the Olympic Games, I'm trying very hard this week to not comment on the politics of other countries. But this one is just so insane that I can't let it go. The article is about the loons on the other side of pond banning smoking in public. But that's not all--
In addition to making it a crime, for which you can be deprived of liberty and property, they also introduced crimes and penalties for failure to obey the initial laws. There's a brand-new fine for NOT posting signs prohibiting smoking -- and that fine is 4 times the no smoking fine. It's not immediately clear exactly how many "No Smoking" signs are required per square foot. It's also not clear that if there's not a sign and you smoke if you've actually broken the law.
Even that's not all! There's ANOTHER fine, FIFTY times the smoking fine penalty for "failing to stop people smoking." Seriously!
So, if you're smoking, there's a small fine. However, if someone walks past you who is NOT smoking, and they don't stop and force YOU to stop smoking, THEY get a more serious fine! Is there anyone who can make ANY sense out of this insanity?
I expect to see public beatings continue -- because if you are there and don't force someone else to stop smoking, you could be heavily fined!
Posted by: Ogre at
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Why don't they just outright make cigarettes illegal and get it over with.
Posted by: Contagion at February 16, 2006 01:44 PM (Q5WxB)
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Because then they couldn't collect the HUGE dollars (pounds, euros) in taxes from the sales of them!
Posted by: Ogre at February 16, 2006 01:56 PM (/k+l4)
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Don't forget politicans love the campaign contributions by "Big Tobacco".
Posted by: Arbitratorofall at February 16, 2006 02:11 PM (5+Jvh)
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Aye, there's too much money there to outright ban it -- and how'd that go for alcohol?
Posted by: Ogre at February 16, 2006 02:59 PM (/k+l4)
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Fine, they won't make it illegal, but they sure will tax the hell out of it!
Posted by: contagion at February 16, 2006 05:31 PM (Q5WxB)
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Greensboro, NC has too much money
Once again, government shows that it's pockets are completely unlimited. The city of Greensboro, NC just gave over a million dollars -- to professional golf. I guess the professional golf circuit just doesn't have enough money.
Oh, but they'll tell you it was "just in case" the sponsors cannot be found to support the tournament. Apparently the Greensboro council is too insulated from the real world to understand how things work. I've worked on campaigns to obtain sponsors for sporting events before.
Once the "goal" amount of sponsors has been reached, there's not much effort put into obtaining more. Sure, some will be obtained, but you don't try real hard. Well, the city has just ensured that the goal has been met -- so why bother trying to obtain sponsors? They won't.
So, citizens of Greensboro, you have just volunteered to give huge piles of cash to professional sports players. I'm glad you have so much money to waste -- now NO ONE in Greensboro has the right to complain about professional sports salaries -- it's your damn fault.
Posted by: Ogre at
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February 15, 2006
ToiletGate
Today's top story: Toiletgate.
As
first reported here, there is now a full-blown cover up going on in Washington. There is a complete and total news blackout on this serious topic, of which the people have a right to now. The Vice President's press secretary was finally reached for comment:
I. P. Freely, ABC: Mr. Vice President's Press Secretary, we need to know, we have a RIGHT to know -- did the Vice President indeed use the toilet at approximately 6am EST this morning?
Mr. Vice President's Press Secretary: I'm not answering that, you moron.
Anita Man, cBS: Sir, sir, can you please comment on how the Vice President's use of the toilet may be perceived by the French and other countries?
Press Secretary: Where are you people from?
Ben Dover, CAIR: As a representative of muslim terrorists around the world, I need to know what the actual content was of the movement of the Vice President. The terrorist muslim community around the world is certainly offended at this use of the toilet, but we do not know how offended to be without knowing if the Vice President had eaten pork before heading to the toilet.
Press Secretary: Was that even a question, you idiot?
Al Koholic, DNC: So are you confirming now that the Vice President did indeed go, and he went #2? We have a right to know!
Press Secretary: I'm leaving now, you people are actually draining MY intelligence.
Hillary Clinton, taking over the microphone: "A tendency of this administration -- from the top all the way to the bottom -- is to withhold information ... to refuse to be forthcoming about information that is of significance and relevance to the jobs that all of you do, and the interests of the American people."
*** DEVELOPING
Posted by: Ogre at
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If anything illustrates the deep divide between right and left in this country, the shooting incident does.
On the Left, bloggers would have you believe that the Vice President was performing a gangland slaying.
The Right would have you think that what the Vice President did was no worse than using a pay toilet.
Vice President Cheney today took full responsibility for the accidental shooting of his friend today.
This is the act of an adult, something we could all do to emulate.
This event is serious. Not attempted murder serious, but serious. A man's life is threatened. We should not be puffing it up, nor putting it down.
My prayers go out, both to the injured man, and to Mr. Cheney, a grown man, who is going to have this hovering over him for at least as long a a certain incident has haunted Senator Kennedy. Or until he dies, whichever comes first.
Posted by: The Small Town Hick at February 15, 2006 09:37 PM (ZINSp)
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Small Town Hick, I think you missed the point here -- this was making fun of the PRESS, not the shooting incident!
Posted by: Ogre at February 15, 2006 09:38 PM (2IrwV)
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No, I got it.
And I was referring to the press, as well.
And to the bloggers.
No one is treating this incident as what it is. It is either an impeachable offense (left) or a bit of fluff (right).
It is not an impeachable offense to accidentally shoot a man. Even if you are the Vice President.
It is not going overboard, however, to mention on the news that the Vice President of the United States has shot somebody. It's the price of fame.
Posted by: The Small Town Hick at February 16, 2006 02:41 AM (ZINSp)
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It's fair to say the President himself would have handled this incident a heckuvalot better than the Veep did, and that is probably what has the MSM up in arms; well part of what does.
The President would have called an immediate press release, as he did 11 years ago when he was involved in his own hunting accident. It wasn't nearly as serious as the one Cheney was involved in obviously, where a man's life hangs in the balance, but it was definitely an uncomfortable situation to say the least.
It demonstrates a vast gap in integrity between the Veep and his boss.
That said, I shall now go fetch a beer from my fridge ;-)
Blog ON y'all...
Posted by: Gun Toting Liberal at February 16, 2006 04:14 AM (OKBoD)
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Hick, there's a specific reason I didn't mention the hunting incident AT ALL -- because I am NOT making light of the accident! I'm not commenting AT ALL on the shooting.
I am commenting on the incredible self-centeredness of the press. I am commenting on the press' incessent complaining that they are not immediately informed of every single thing that THEY want to know about.
This has nothing to do with the hunting incident, and everything to do with how much the press thinks EVERYONE owes them EVERYTHING.
Posted by: Ogre at February 16, 2006 10:40 AM (2IrwV)
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Vice Presidential Toilet Update
*** UPDATE ***
The news
reported earlier that the Vice President did indeed go to the bathroom at approximately 6:00am EST has been confirmed by anonymous sources. Witnesses have come forward to confirm that the Vice President was spotted headed into the bathroom just before 6:00 am EST.
ABC News has sent an investigative correspondent into the sewer system to search for additional evidence of this cover up by the Office of the Vice President. There still has been no announcement by the Vice President's Office regarding any scheduled press conferences.
This is very frustrating for the various new agencies covering the White House. One cBS news reporter, Tim Jones was blocked from entering the bathroom at the Vice President's residence. Jones cried out that the secret service agents were blocking his rightful access to information, but they refused to let him enter. Jones said that he was planning on filing a freedom of information act request.
The ACLU has not weighed in yet, nor have the muslims.
Posted by: Ogre at
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I have it from informed sources that the Vice President washed incriminating evidence from his hands and used a blow dryer rather than paper towels so that no finger prints could be recovered from the trash bin.
Posted by: TF Stern at February 15, 2006 09:15 PM (dz3wA)
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Breaking News: Cheney Uses Toilet
I have just been informed, via press release from the Office of the Vice President and his press secretary that the Vice President of the United States has just gone to the bathroom.
*** EXCLUSIVE ***
It appears that the Vice President actually went to the bathroom 2
hours ago. We will send our investigative team to discover why there was such a delay in the reporting. The public has a "right to know" why, when, and where the Vice President goes to the bathroom. Investigations continue into the names and identities of the plumbers who installed the toilet and the companies involved with the waste removal.
Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., urged Cheney to hold a press conference, which he has not done since 2002. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., accused the administration of being the most secretive in "modern history."
Cheney's office said that it had only been informed in the last 5 minutes of the Vice President's use of the toilet and that they had no knowledge of him using the toilet before this time. Democrat officials in North Carolina are investigating if any laws were broken while the Vice President was using the toilet.
*** DEVELOPING ***
Posted by: Ogre at
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hehe
You know... it ISN'T like Cheney swam outta the water and went back to his room for the night.
He did actually get help for the guy.
Posted by: Kari at February 15, 2006 03:19 PM (Q2cJ0)
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So you think that SHOOTING a man and going to a bathroom are events of equal importance?
Posted by: br23net at February 15, 2006 03:41 PM (0R1eS)
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Kari -- that always seems to come up, doesn't it?
And Br23 -- in this case, not quite -- the toilet issue is MUCH more important.
You see, the shooting was an accident that happened between two private people on private property. The toilet events actually occur on public property, so more should actually be known about them!
Posted by: Ogre at February 15, 2006 03:58 PM (/k+l4)
4
Ogre - Now you're just being mean :-)
Posted by: Harvey at February 16, 2006 03:28 AM (ubhj8)
5
But Harvey, the people have the right to know (any damn thing the press wants to know)!
Posted by: Ogre at February 16, 2006 10:55 AM (2IrwV)
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"Coalition" wants less freedom
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
NC Constitution:
Sec. 14. Freedom of speech and press.
Freedom of speech and of the press are two of the great bulwarks of liberty and therefore shall never be restrained, but every person shall be held responsible for their abuse.
There were various reasons that these laws were put in place. One of the basic, primary reasons, was to allow freedom of speech. As the courts have (correctly) ruled repeatedly, money IS speech. Any limitation on money, especially in politics, IS a limit on freedom of speech -- and that's wrong.
A "coalition" of groups in NC wants to
limit free speech by limiting what people can give to legislators. That's wrong. There's absolutely no reason to limit it. When you stop what people can give to government, you stop freedom, plain and simple.
So yes, I completely support removing every single limit on any political race -- with one condition. If Bill Gates wants to buy a Senator, I have no problem with that. If one person wants to donate $1,000,000.00 to a candidate for county commissioner, that's fine with me. There should be no limits -- except one.
Each candidate should be required to report, within 24 hours, the source of any donations on the internet. So if you're bought and paid for, everyone will know it immediately. And then the complex, myriad confusing rules could ALL go away and we could stop wasting so much time talking about it and trying to prosecute it.
If I want to give money to someone who will reduce my taxes, why should anyone be opposed to that? So no, don't limit anyone. Just report it.
And if you truly do want to limit it, reduce government spending and regulations -- if there's no reason to buy favors, the spending will go down by itself.
Posted by: Ogre at
10:06 AM
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February 14, 2006
On Counting Car Crashes
Harvey was wondering how many car crashes there really were in the Blues Brothers movie. While I can recite most of the movie lines from memory, I know the answer to the question is "a lot."
Mr. Google doesn't appear to have a definitive answer, so I'm thinking I need to sit down with the remote and starting counting -- but I'm not entirely sure how to count. I don't want to attempt to count the number of cars crashed, but the number of times one car crashes into another on the film (which will be a much larger number).
But what counts as a "crash?" In one scene, the state trooper cars are piling on top of one another. When the top car hits the pile, does it only count for each car it individually hits? Or should a car that lands on top of 2 other cars count as two crashes?
What about when a car flies through the air, hits one car, then rolls onto 2 more cars? Is that 1 or 3 crashes? Gee, this is going to be harder than I thought...
Posted by: Ogre at
08:06 PM
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1
Whether the car in motion hits 1 or 12 cars it is one crash. If it all stems from one single incident, it is one crash. Ie if car A spins out, it causes car b to hit car c, Car d to hit car e, car f to hit car g. Since it all stemmed from Car a spining out, it is one accident.
I hope this helps.
Posted by: Contagion at February 14, 2006 09:10 PM (Q5WxB)
2
You got the catagory right, silliness. If you can believe it, I was attending an in-service police week and one class was cancelled because the main speaker had a conflict of schedules. We were instead shown the Blues Brother Movie to fill in the time and given credit for having been instructed in the mandated state required unit...Must have been Public Relations or something.
Posted by: TF Stern at February 14, 2006 10:42 PM (dz3wA)
3
I'll take crashed cars for $500 please. Reviewing the original post(s) I noticed the question asked was "how many cars were wrecked"? So if Car 1 hits car 2, car 2 hits car 3, yada, yada, yada. You have to count each car not each crash. So if mulitple angles are shown of one car crashing is it actually the same car from each angle?
Posted by: Tige at February 14, 2006 11:29 PM (QgCnE)
4
Don't forget the folks on the bridge wearing their NAZI uniforms, the ones who had to jump in the water to avoid getting hit, they each count as one accident...
Posted by: TF Stern at February 15, 2006 12:42 AM (dz3wA)
5
Contagion, if I count that way, there's going to be a pretty small number...
TF? I want to get paid to watch the Blues Brothers!
Tige -- counting the actual number of cars is going to be very difficult because of the various different camera angles of the same car, that's why I'm thinking of counting crashes.
Posted by: Ogre at February 15, 2006 10:38 AM (2IrwV)
6
This IS a toughie.
After considerable thought, I think you should have two different categories
1) Vehicle halted by impact - the RV in the river, the cop cars involved in the Chicago pile-up, the cop cars that don't make it across the median on the chase toward Chicago.
2) Vehicle damaged from hitting another car, but remaining operable - I believe that in the Chicago chase scene, some cop cars hit stalled cop cars, but keep going.
Hitting a non-vehicle object wouldn't count if the car remains mobile, so the mall scene gives us only one VHBI, and the Bluesmobile getting the speaker sheared off coming out of the tunnel after the concert wouldn't count at all.
The cop car landing in the truck's trailer gives one VHBI, and one VDBO (vehicle damaged but operable)
I'm thinking that the pile-up and/or median crossing scenes might require several viewings and a sketched diagram to count the cars properly. Hopefully there'll be good continuity between separate shots in these scenes.
Does that help?
Posted by: Harvey at February 15, 2006 02:25 PM (ubhj8)
7
I'm thinking there might need to be about 12 categories. After all, when a motor vehicle sustains damage, it's considered a collison for insurance purposes. And when the insurance industry looks at repairing a car, they want to know how many separate incidents caused the damages...
Posted by: Ogre at February 15, 2006 02:36 PM (/k+l4)
8
Fortunately the Bluesmobile doesn't actually take damage until they arrive at the Cook County Assessor's office and it falls apart :-)
Anyway, it might be better to just take copious notes about each scene involving vehicle damage, and see if any obvious categories present themselves.
You're really jumping into a snakepit on this one :-)
Posted by: Harvey at February 16, 2006 03:32 AM (ubhj8)
9
I say let the 911 Commission do an offical investigation into the number of crashes in the movie, it would make as much difference as their detailed investigation of that mess.
Posted by: TF Stern at February 16, 2006 05:04 AM (dz3wA)
10
I think I'm going to have to schedule a whole weekend of watching and rewinding...
And TF -- they commission would agree there were crashes, but would decline to state the exact number of them, instead focusing on the idea that the crashes could have been prevented.
Posted by: Ogre at February 16, 2006 10:56 AM (2IrwV)
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Another Quiz
Grabbed from Ktreva:
Great.
Posted by: Ogre at
06:07 PM
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1
I think the quiz is trying to say you're wierd...maybe I'm wrong
Great having you around! I'm a bassoon and don't even remember what that sounds like. Per my husband, loud and obnoxious... *shrug*
Posted by: ktreva at February 15, 2006 12:41 AM (e8b4J)
2
I know what a bassoon sounds like -- I played one for years! Really!
Posted by: Ogre at February 15, 2006 10:42 AM (2IrwV)
3
I tied between Oboe and Trombone... now what does that mean?
Posted by: vw bug at February 15, 2006 08:41 PM (NyrfU)
4
I was a bassoon....100%.....
Posted by: kender at February 16, 2006 02:28 AM (KKKqN)
5
Tied, VW? You can't tie! That's not fair!
And Kender? Who'd a thunk it?
Posted by: Ogre at February 16, 2006 10:48 AM (2IrwV)
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Carnivals
Hey, did you know that the Tarheel Tavern has been posted? Well, it has -- over at Captivated by Mandie. Go take a peek -- it's got a neat layout this week!
And another excellent layout for Valentine's Day can be found at the
Carnival of Liberty. GREAT stuff there, as always.
Posted by: Ogre at
04:01 PM
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Saint Valentine's Day
Happy Saint Valentine's Day!
Now who the heck IS Saint Valentine? There's a few ideas, according to
The History Channel:
One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.
That's appropriately romantic, isn't it? But maybe it was this guy:
According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today.
Awwwwwwwwwwwwww.
Then again, it could be from an ancient ceremony where men soaked strips of goat skin in blood and slapped women with it (really!). I guess that's not romantic enough...
And something weird? 85% of all Valentines are purchased by women. I guess all the men are busy buying up all the flowers that can be grown...
Posted by: Ogre at
03:03 PM
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1
Happy V Day! Strips of blood eh? yeah, not nearly as romantic.
Posted by: ktreva at February 15, 2006 12:43 AM (e8b4J)
Posted by: Flannel Avenger at February 15, 2006 12:45 AM (L/pSd)
3
Wrong holiday, Flannel!
Posted by: Ogre at February 15, 2006 10:43 AM (2IrwV)
Posted by: Raven at February 15, 2006 12:32 PM (H/10k)
5
Are you aware, Raven, that you just wrote "I hate VD?"
Do you actually know ANYONE who LIKES veneral diseases?
Posted by: Ogre at February 15, 2006 12:40 PM (/k+l4)
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No Free Speech in America
First, we're told that multiculturalism does NOT allow southern heritage -- only approved cultures, like Islam and Black History, but no whites allowed in government schools.
At the same time,
anti freedom lawmakers are considering banning free speech at certain times and places (funerals). Nope, sorry, that's just wrong. Instead, fight stupidity with
more freedom, not less.
Government CANNOT fix problems! It certainly cannot fix any problems related to freedom and rights -- it can only take those away and reduce them. Government GET OUT OF THE WAY!
Posted by: Ogre at
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Posted by: oddybobo at February 14, 2006 03:05 PM (6Gm0j)
2
Hey Ogie...
I don't think we have no freedom of speech in America. You and I would have been locked up by now.
There is no doubt that our freedoms are under attack.
Take care,
Andy
Posted by: Charlotte Capitalist at February 14, 2006 03:07 PM (3UzK7)
3
Ogre can you blame that jackson girl for being offended. I have a hard time understanding how that represents southern heritage. It represents a 5 year period where southerners killed their own countryman to keep their slaves among other reasons. You cant ignore that symbolism. A german couldnt very well expect to pull out a nazi flag and then be upset when jews were offended.
Posted by: Brian at February 14, 2006 03:41 PM (qe/Un)
4
I think we're only not locked up, Andy, because we're not perceived as "dangerous" at the moment...
And Brian, she can be offended all she wants! That's how freedom works! You can be offended ANY TIME YOU WANT! But when you tell me that I'm not allowed to do anything that offends you, that's where the problems start.
Posted by: Ogre at February 14, 2006 03:57 PM (/k+l4)
5
Just as long as we all remain able to reply to another person's free speech, it will be ok.
The trouble will start when your reply gets censored.
Posted by: The Small Town Hick at February 14, 2006 05:57 PM (GYYm5)
6
You mean like replying to "multiculturalism" by talking about southern heritage?
Posted by: Ogre at February 15, 2006 10:34 AM (2IrwV)
7
Does a protest at a funeral constitute "fighting words"?
Posted by: Harvey at February 16, 2006 03:35 AM (ubhj8)
8
Depends on who's askin', I s'pose...
Posted by: Ogre at February 16, 2006 10:58 AM (2IrwV)
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Jim Black's Hypocrisy
Jim Black, self-anointed king of the state of North Carolina, and Speaker of the House, supported as completely and totally above the law by other state Democrats, really shows how invincible he believes he is. And it's likely he will get away with whatever he wants, as the only ones in place that could stop him completely and totally support him.
In
this case, he really goes beyond the edge of sanity. Last year, after receiving large piles of cash from optometrists (he is also an optometrist), he slipped a law in that would require all government school students to have an eye exam from an optometrist before they would be permitted to enter the schools. That exam would cost from $100-150.
After outrage from numerous people, Black has agree to "modify" the law. How? By giving kids a grace period to get the exam -- they would still be required to have the exam or they'd be not allowed in school (and of course, if your child doesn't go to school, you will go to jail and they will take your child from you -- seriously).
And now, Black, instead of removing the law that pads his and his pal's pockets with forced cash, he's supposedly creating a "private foundation" to pay for the exams! Keep in mind that Black has a personal checkbook on an account funded by the taxpayers!
So, Black wants more money. He passes a law the absolutely requires citizens to pay him, personally, cash. When he's called on it, he uses taxpayer money from his personal account to start a "foundation" (that's sure to be further funded by the government) to put the money in his account.
And yet the Democrats (most of them) and the press in Charlotte (the Observer) simply cannot admit that he has done a single thing wrong.
Posted by: Ogre at
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February 13, 2006
New, Sexist Olympic Events
Ok, some commenters here (Stevin, Trench) have suggested a few new sports for the Olympics. So...do you like their suggestions, or do you have some others?
- Topless women's hockey
- Lingerie Luge
- Crotchless Cross-Country Skiing
Please email all complaints to someone OTHER than me for these suggestions...
Posted by: Ogre at
08:05 PM
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1
Full contact female doubles gymnastics
nude male pole vaulting
female greco roman wrestling
bare ass ice 'skating'
Posted by: gamongrel at February 13, 2006 08:40 PM (tYXgL)
2
Well, that didn't take long.
Posted by: Ogre at February 13, 2006 09:02 PM (+Gl1m)
3
I'd feel sorry for the poor nekked ladies in the cold events. But it'd probably actually get me to watch.
Posted by: Contagion at February 13, 2006 11:18 PM (Q5WxB)
4
I don't think you'd really feel sorry for them...
Posted by: Ogre at February 14, 2006 12:04 PM (/k+l4)
5
bare back equestrian
bisexalon
Posted by: GaMongrel at February 14, 2006 12:04 PM (tYXgL)
Posted by: Ogre at February 14, 2006 12:05 PM (/k+l4)
7
Womens topless midget ice bowling,,,,(Midgets are not topless)
Womens topless pin the tail on Al Sharpton.
Womens gymnastics with pre-stuffed cracks, oh, they have that already.
Look what you started, this could be endless.
Posted by: Tomslick at February 14, 2006 01:08 PM (xNjHI)
8
Midget ice bowling? Do you think women can throw the midgets that far?
Posted by: Ogre at February 14, 2006 02:00 PM (/k+l4)
9
Good point.
They can use the 120 m ski jumps for the bowling alley. We would hate to see a contestent sprain their backs.
Posted by: Tomslick at February 14, 2006 03:47 PM (xNjHI)
10
Now that would take some serious skill!
Posted by: Ogre at February 14, 2006 03:58 PM (/k+l4)
11
Seriously, women's gymnastics is all the Olympic porn I need.
Posted by: Harvey at February 16, 2006 03:38 AM (ubhj8)
12
Foul! That's SUMMER Olympics! There's no gymnastics in the winter games...unless you count some of those ski crashes...
Posted by: Ogre at February 16, 2006 10:59 AM (2IrwV)
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